The Opioid Matrix: A Journey Into the Rabbit Hole

Join us for a special 50th episode of The Opioid Matrix as we bring together four leading experts in the field of mental health and substance addiction disorder: Dr. Sofia Georgoulias , Scott Silverman , Brian Townsend and Dr. Michael Miller . In this thought-provoking panel discussion, we delve into the complex issues surrounding addiction, drug use, treatment, and mental health. Together, we exp...

In this gripping episode of The Opioid Matrix with Michael Brown, we continue our insightful conversation with former Intelligence agent and author, Anthony Stephen Malone. Join us for an eye-opening exploration of the global fight against transnational organized crime, as we delve into the realms of human trafficking and the growing militarization of drug cartels. Anthony sheds light on the urgen...

The US war on terror has shifted — from Afghanistan and terrorism to Mexico and deadly drugs. The discussion on terrorism is calling for Mexican drug cartels to be reclassified as narco-terrorist organizations and fentanyl as a class one controlled substance. Kevin Ofchus , CEO at HNPSWA, former DEA special agent, and repeat guest joins us to help break down some of these issues. With years of han...

In this powerful episode of The Opioid Matrix, join host Michael Brown as he engages in a profound conversation with Lakeydra Houston, a veteran, advocate, coach and mother. As an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, Lakeydra opens up about her experiences with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the challenging journey of mothering a son who battles addiction. With unwavering honesty, Lakeydra...

In this thought-provoking installment, we shed light on the collateral victims of the devastating fentanyl crisis and expose the criminals who prey on migrants. Join us for this eye-opening conversation with Lieutenant Christopher Olivarez, the spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety. Lieutenant Olivarez offers a stark and unfiltered look into the reality of drug smuggling at the US...

In this episode, Michael speaks with Pharmacist Mike. They discuss the effects of narcotics, such as oxycontin, heroin, and fentanyl, and the difficulty of breaking addiction. This episode also touches on the American Pharmaceutical Industry's pricing power and the need for a balance between regulation and promotion for research and development. To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid...

Get ready to venture deep into the rabbit hole and emerge with a newfound perspective on the battle against addiction. Host Michael Brown welcomes Teresa Whitney , a drug counselor with a powerful personal story. From battling heroin addiction to becoming a beacon of hope, Teresa's years of experience bring a dynamic perspective on addiction and recovery from someone who has been through the trenc...

Every single day, 300 Americans lose their lives to drug overdoses. This is not just a statistic — it’s a tragedy that demands our attention. In this episode, we hear a whirlwind conversation with Derek Maltz , who is a retired Special Agent who was in Charge of the DEAs Special Operations Division. Derek shares an inside account of the astonishing evolution of drug cartels into sinister multi-nat...

Today, recreational drug use poses a threat that was unimaginable twenty years ago. In this episode, we’re joined by Michael Fiore , a man who has survived the depths of addiction to find purpose in helping others. Now Fiore aims to inspire others to stay clean from drugs through the organization's Voices of Awareness and Facing Fentanyl . His story is about finding a way through the darkness of a...

Substance use disorders may be a societal problem the world over, but not all substances are the same — which means approaches to tackling the problem can’t be one-size-fits-all. In this episode, Jon Peeples, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Affect Therapeutic, joins to explain stimulant use disorder, its neurological effects and what makes treating it unique. We discuss: The mental and physical compo...

After the sudden loss of their son Charlie to a counterfeit Perocet pill that contained illicit fentanyl, Ed and Mary Ternan created Song for Charlie with one goal: to bring awareness to counterfeit prescription pills being sold online targeting young people. The Ternans believe the best way to address the problem is to reduce demand for prescription meds by offering healthier alternatives for man...

Every day, over 300 deaths occur in America due to fentanyl overdoses — this month, approximately many people will unsuspectingly lose their lives due to counterfeit pills believed to be Adderall or Xanax. Who will be held responsible for these poisoning homicides that rob families of their loved ones every single day? On this episode, we’re joined by Laura Didier , Outreach Coordinator and member...

When we think about the opioid crisis, a few things immediately come to mind: Mexican cartels, substance users lost in the haze of addiction, and those who have lost their lives or their loved ones to overdose. So where are the success stories of those who have weathered the storm of addiction and found their way back to the light? Our guest today is Elissa Tierney , Public Relations Specialist at...

The off-ramp from long-term prescription opioid use for pain management is a grueling process — especially when patients are not provided with the proper instructions to do so. But when pharmaceuticals like fentanyl come in patches at set dosage increments, how do you lower the dose at a rate steady enough to ensure success? Today’s guest, Neil Jackson, Inventor and Patent Holder of FenBlock , say...

The drug epidemic is complicated. And just as there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to getting drugs off our streets, there isn’t one single path to recovery. If we are going to tackle such a complex issue, we need a multi-pronged approach — law enforcement, clinical intervention, recovery and harm reduction each have their part to play. In this episode, we’re speaking with Evan Done, Community...

When OxyContin was approved in the ‘90s, how many could predict the skyrocketing opioid deaths or the rise of fentanyl in the road ahead? As we scramble to treat the symptoms of a fentanyl-dominated opioid market, what lessons can we learn from the past to prevent the next stage in the opioid epidemic’s evolution? In this episode, we speak with Dr. Arun Gupta MD PC , Addiction Specialist, Family P...

Family addiction, mental health troubles, a culture of substance abuse — in the drug epidemic, despair can lead one to conclude drug use is inevitable. Today’s guest, Dr. Geri Lynn Utter , Clinical Psychologist in the Greater Philadelphia Area and Author of Mainlining Philly , proves everyday — in both her work and her personal story — that hope can overcome despair. Join us as we discuss: Dr. Utt...

We can tackle some of the symptoms of addiction through harm reduction, but we will never be able to curb the addiction itself without understanding one thing: The “why” behind it. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Michael Miller, CEO of the Miller Care Group, about how his clinical approach to addiction differs from others by drilling down into the root causes and treating addiction at the sourc...

Transnational Organized Criminal (TOC) groups and their proxies are part of a much larger centralized global criminal network. And the threat is larger than many expect — the intersectionality of global TOC actors has resulted in a billion dollar shadow economy fueled by human and drug trafficking In this episode, we are joined by Anthony Stephen Malone , Former CIA Agent and British Paratrooper ....

This week's episode of The Opioid Matrix features Nathan Smiddy, also known as "Narcan Nate". Nate is a Harm Reduction Education Specialist. We delve into Nathan's background and discover how he got started in the world of drugs and alcohol. From selling drugs through high school and beyond, to now being sober and advocating for harm reduction, Nathan shares his unique perspective on the current s...

In this episode of the podcast, we welcome Brian Townsend, a former DEA special agent, to discuss his career fighting the war on drugs and the current opioid crisis. Brian shares his insight on how trends have changed over the years and the reasons behind the staggering statistic of over 100,000 overdose deaths a year. We delve into the evolving landscape of synthetic drugs and their growing threa...

In this episode, Michael speaks with Kevin Ofchus - a former Supervisory Special Agent with the U.S. DEA and is now CEO of Host Nation Perspectives of SouthWest Asia, as well as Associate Fellow at Narrative Strategies. His projects have covered a wide range of areas focused on countering Afghan insurgency and violent extremism via intelligence and counter-intelligence, threat finance, counter-ter...

In this episode, Michael speaks with Kevin Ofchus, - a former Supervisory Special Agent with the U.S. DEA and is now CEO of Host Nation Perspectives of SouthWest Asia, as well as Associate Fellow at Narrative Strategies. His projects have covered a wide range of areas focused on countering Afghan insurgency and violent extremism via intelligence and counter-intelligence, threat finance, counter-te...

In this episode, we delve into how drug abuse disproportionately affects young people in America. We discuss the devastating consequences of drug addiction, and how it can ruin lives and destroy families. We also explore the role that schools can play in preventing drug abuse and promoting a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. We speak with Rockwell “Rocky” Herron , Drug Abuse Prevention Ambassador and...

As the debate around harm reduction continues, it is important to remember that there are mental health strategies those suffering from substance dependencies can use with the help of a professional. In this episode, Michael speaks with Shaudi Adel, Clinical Director at Centered Mind Therapy. The mission at Centered Mind Therapy is to connect clients with a provider that will help them discover he...